§ 36. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers are quartered in England and Scotland, respectively; and the total sums paid annually to the forces in each country?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe regimental strength of the Regular Forces on 1st June last was, approximately, in England and Wales, 4,500 officers and 80,200 other ranks, and in Scotland, 300 officers and 5,100 other ranks. Army Estimates are not so framed as to show separately the cost of the forces in England and Wales on the one hand and Scotland on the other hand.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us approximately how many Reservists were serving extra time in the period referred to in the question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice ought to be given of that question.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any change in the method of accountancy since 1921, when a Return was issued which must obviously have taken account of these figures?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON- EVANSI do not know to what Return the hon. Gentleman refers.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONHas any change taken place in the methods of accountancy since 1921?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON- EVANSOh, yes, cost accounting has been modified, and I have no doubt that other changes have been made, but without more particular notice I cannot give any but a general answer.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it the case, when dealing with supplies for each of these Divisions, that everything goes through 2134 one Department for accounting and that nothing is shown in the books as to what amounts went to England and what to Wales and what to other places? I understand that the accountancy is such that there is no record kept of any distribution of any kind, it is all one mass.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON- EVANSNo, the hon. Gentleman must not understand that. The accounts are extremely well kept, not in the muddled fashion he described.
§ Commander WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the accountancy in the War Office in the last three years has improved considerably to the benefit of the taxpayers?
§ Mr. HARDIEArising out of the last answer, if the accounts are not kept in a muddle, as I was trying to get out of the Minister, he should be able to answer the question put to him as to what are the differences—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"] If he cannot do that, then they are muddled.